UCD vs Sligo Rovers Predictions

UCD vs Sligo Rovers predictions for Friday’s Irish Premier Division clash at UCD Bowl. Can the visitors worsen the crisis of the hosts? Read on for all our free betting tips and predictions.

Match Live Friday, 23rd June at 7:45 pm In:

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UCD vs Sligo Rovers Predictions

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An Intriguing Clash: Underdogs UCD to Challenge Dominant Sligo Rovers

The upcoming Premier Division match on Friday brings UCD face-to-face with Sligo Rovers, with the underdogs aiming to disrupt the clear favourites’ domination. Struggling UCD, currently sitting at the bottom of the league table with a meagre 6 points from their first 20 games, will undoubtedly have a tough time challenging Sligo, who have managed to amass 23 points and occupy a position two ranks above the division’s most vulnerable team.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Looking at previous encounters, Sligo Rovers seem to have an undeniable edge, securing victories in their last three games against UCD. Furthermore, four of their last six encounters saw goals from both teams, revealing an interesting blend of attacking potency and defensive vulnerability on both sides. This trend also permeates UCD’s recent Premier Division games, with four of their last six outings witnessing goals from both sides. 

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However, the intensity of these matches extends beyond mere goalscoring. Over the last six encounters between UCD and Sligo, at least three goals were scored in three of these matches, indicating a high likelihood for high-scoring games. This prediction is further reinforced by UCD’s recent performance, with each of their last six games producing over 2.5 goals. However, this high-scoring trend is not without its downside for UCD, who have conceded 3 or more goals in each of these matches.

Team Breakdown

UCD had no illusions of grandeur as they faced the challenging prospect of playing against table leaders Shamrock Rovers in their previous match. The game concluded with a convincing 4-0 win for the hosts, leaving UCD licking their wounds. As UCD prepares for the upcoming match against Sligo, the team is burdened with injury concerns regarding key players Behan and Dignam. 

Sligo Rovers, on the other hand, managed to salvage a draw in their previous game against Shelbourne despite falling behind early. The equaliser came from Morahan, who will unfortunately be absent in the upcoming match due to suspension. Sligo also faces potential injury concerns with a list of players including Finnerty, Hartmann, Clancy, O’Sullivan, Boylan, Byrne, and Buckley.

Statistical Overview

Diving into the numbers reveals an uphill battle for UCD, having lost a staggering 16 out of their 20 games this season. With only 11 goals to their name in these 20 matches, UCD’s scoring drought is a major concern, especially when pitted against Sligo’s relatively solid defensive record of conceding only 27 times in 20 games. Given Sligo’s six victories this season, a win over UCD could serve as the necessary catalyst for the remainder of the season.

However, UCD’s miserable season doesn’t end there. They are currently 15 points adrift at the bottom of the table, having secured only six points from a possible 60. With the worst defensive and attacking records in the division—49 goals conceded and merely 11 scored in 20 games—UCD faces a formidable challenge against Sligo. 

Nevertheless, UCD might find a silver lining in Sligo’s recent performance, with Sligo winning just three of their last eight matches. Furthermore, seven of these games witnessed less than 2.5 goals, suggesting a possible shift in Sligo’s offensive prowess.

Prediction 1: Over 11.5 Corners

The prediction for over 11.5 corners comes from analysing the offensive and defensive trends of both teams. On the one hand, UCD have demonstrated a consistent pattern of conceding goals, which indicates their defensive vulnerability. On the other hand, Sligo Rovers have shown a balanced attacking record.

Now, when a team is persistently attacking, as Sligo Rovers is expected to do, corners often increase due to blocked shots, last-ditch tackles, or desperate clearances. Considering UCD’s defensive record, it can be anticipated that they might be forced to deflect numerous attempts on goal, thereby giving away corners.

Moreover, UCD’s own attacking efforts, while not as effective, might also contribute to this total. Despite their dismal goal-scoring record, the data suggests UCD is not completely impotent upfront, having scored in four of their last six games. These efforts to get on the scoresheet could add to the corner count.

Prediction 2: Sligo Rovers to win 4-1

The rationale behind predicting a 4-1 victory for Sligo Rovers in the correct score market comes from several factors. Firstly, Sligo’s head-to-head record against UCD, with victories in their last three encounters, suggests an inherent advantage for Sligo Rovers.

Moreover, Sligo’s overall league performance is notably superior to UCD’s. While Sligo Rovers have had struggles of their own, with only three wins in their last eight matches, UCD’s situation is far grimmer, having lost 16 out of their 20 games this season.

The most crucial factor in this prediction, however, comes from the analysis of the teams’ scoring records. UCD have demonstrated a substantial vulnerability in defence, having conceded a staggering 49 goals in 20 games. Coupled with their habit of conceding three or more goals in their last six games, a high-scoring game in favour of Sligo Rovers seems plausible.

Lastly, the 4-1 prediction also accounts for UCD’s sporadic scoring in recent matches. With goals from their side in four of their last six games, there is a possibility that UCD might break through Sligo’s defence, despite being outscored overall.

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